John Sutton injury gives Luke Keary chance

BOOM youngster Luke Keary will be thrust into the action against the Melbourne Storm on Friday night after scans confirmed South Sydney five-eighth John Sutton would miss up to four weeks with an ankle injury.

Sutton hobbled off during the Rabbitohs' 30-12 loss to North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday, coach Michael Maguire saying yesterday he was confident the 200-gamer would be back before the finals.

Despite Keary having played just five senior games for the club, Maguire said the 21-year-old was the club's best option to play alongside Adam Reynolds in the halves.

"Luke has done a good job coming on as a replacement at five-eighth in recent weeks, and we're confident in his ability to get the job done while John is on the sidelines," Maguire said.

Meanwhile Titans enforcer Greg Bird will be free to play against the Bulldogs on Monday after being handed a grade one dangerous contact charge for his hit on Tigers utility Braith Anasta at Skilled Park on Sunday.